Knee pain is a common problem, affecting 25% of American adults. No matter the cause (injury, arthritis, overuse, etc.), the resulting pain affects your entire life because it limits your mobility and keeps you constantly searching for answers.
You’re not without potential solutions, though. Several treatment options are available, ranging from conservative to aggressive, depending on your situation. No one choice works better than everything else for all patients. The “best” option for you depends on the root cause of your pain and what you’re willing to do to function normally again.
Steven E. Nolan, MD, is committed to helping his patients overcome knee pain. Here’s what he tells them regarding their best treatment options.
First, Dr. Nolan has to determine the root cause of your pain. Each cause can drive us to different solutions, so he starts here. Common reasons for knee pain include:
Other issues may be causing your pain as well. Dr. Nolan thoroughly reviews your health history, performs a physical exam, and orders imaging to arrive at his diagnosis.
Dr. Nolan always treats your knee as conservatively as possible according to your diagnosis. He starts with nonsurgical treatments, including:
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation help manage acute injuries, swelling, and discomfort in your knee.
If you strengthen the muscles around your knee, you can improve your knee stability and function while reducing your pain. A good physical therapist can design a routine of exercises and stretches to accomplish this goal.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help reduce your inflammation and pain. If they’re not effective enough, prescription medication is available.
The next step up is corticosteroid injections, which can reduce your pain for months. Hyaluronic acid shots can lubricate your knee, while platelet-rich plasma therapy can help begin to regrow cartilage.
Knee braces can help provide support, and if you’re overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can go a long way to reducing your pain and improving the function of your knee.
If you’ve tried multiple conservative treatments and your pain persists, it’s time to think about surgery. Standard surgical options include:
Dr. Nolan uses knee arthroscopy, or minimally invasive surgery using a tiny camera and instruments, to diagnose and repair problems in your knee, including torn ligaments and menisci, broken cartilage, patellar issues, and fractures.
In cases where arthritis is severe, partial or total knee replacement may be the best option. Replacing your damaged knee with a new, perfectly functioning, artificial knee should give you at least 15-20 pain-free years.
If you’re dealing with knee pain, our team at Steven E. Nolan, MD, has treated hundreds of patients like you over the years, giving us the experience we need for you. Call our Sugar Land office to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment with our online scheduler.
